Scouting Adventures

The newly created Explorer Scout Unit held its first official investiture ceremony in the Chapel.

Invited guests included local Scouting dignitaries such as the District Commissioner and District Chairman from Adur Valley Scouts as well as the Head Master and Mr Eustace. All the Explorers received their coveted Scout scarf and made their Scout promise. Fr Richard was on hand to offer a blessing to the unit. Sixth Former Ollie Faragher offered his reflections on the first eight months of the Unit, whilst Fourth Formers Christopher Clay and Amelie Lyne both performed music before receiving their musician award.

As well as the formal investiture into the Scout movement, the evening offered an opportunity for the Minerva Explorers Unit to celebrate all that has been achieved in the first year of its existence.

In the Summer Term the Explorers went back to their usual routine of activities, taking advantage of the warmer weather. After a refresher of first aid the Scouts were thrown in at the deep end by responding to a first aid scenario. A number of Scouts pretended to be injured whilst another group had to respond to and deal with the scene as it unfolded. Acting skills were on display and fake blood in the form of tomato ketchup was flowing, as were

the irritating bystanders intent on filming the scene, which gave the first aiders some challenges to deal with. The activity gave the Scouts a chance to think through a possible real-life first aid scenario they might encounter. They all learnt a great deal, and some of the casualties actually ended up being saved!

This term the Scouts also learnt pioneering skills, using wooden staves and sisal to lash constructions together. After learning a basic tripod and a frame, the challenge was set to build a catapult which could then launch waterbombs at an opposing team. The water fight ended well, with some escaping a dousing and others getting a direct hit!

We are looking forward to the second year of Minerva ESU and, hopefully, a chance to get out and enjoy camping.

DR RICHARD BUSTIN Scout Leader

I’ve had an amazing time this year helping lead the group as we started our Unit’s history. One of my favourite activities was the ‘Sellotape bridge’, where the Scouts had to build a bridge between two tables using only sticky tape. The bridges were later tested by the Sixth Form helpers – sadly they all failed in a dramatic style!

As the lockdown started in the Lent Term, the programme continued online with Dr Bustin and Mrs Britnell with plenty of opportunities to earn badges for our uniforms. When we came back in March, we held our first ever investiture, where the Unit was formally sworn into the organisation. The term concluded with an epic Easter egg hunt around the school, with plenty of chocolate prizes to take home!

As summer came around in full force, we had lots of fun outside, from water balloon fights to a barbecue to celebrate the end of term.

Overall, it has been an amazing first year of the Lancing College Minerva Explorer Scout Unit, and I can’t wait to see where we go next, as our Fourth Formers continue their journey into Fifth Form and we welcome our new Fourth Formers into the group next year!

OLLIE FARAGHER Lower Sixth Form